General Observer reviews election preparedness in West Sikkim

GYALSHING, 28 Mar [IPR]: A meeting was called by the General Observer, Anwaruddin Chaudhary along with the Expenditure Observer, RO (West), SP (West), AROs and officers (Election Dept) at the chamber of the Returning Officer (West) at DAC today.

The meeting started with the Returning Officer briefing the General Observer about the ongoing preparation for the upcoming elections in the district.

He informed that all relevant documents have been placed in the public domain as per the directions from the Election Commission of India; all papers are being forwarded to the Chief Secretary as well.

The Returning Officer also informed that on the directions of the Commission, they have issued voter slips to the missed out voters. Adding to this he informed that a special voter slip campaign is scheduled on 30 March where voter slips would be distributed to the general public in all 133 polling stations.

He then informed that webcasting on 20 polling stations will be done during elections and that trials were already conducted in two such polling stations on 27 March.

The Returning Officer informed that national and international banks should remain vigilant and in case of any suspicious activity or transactions above Rs1 lakh, they should come forward and report to authorities immediately.

Senior SP (West), DB Giri informed that the law and order situation is under control in the district. The General Observer then gave his overall view and stated he was quite satisfied with the preparations at hand.

He said that central forces should be placed at critical polling stations of the district. Training of micro-observers and training on EVMs are essential requisites, he added.